Fastener device



March 23, 1954 P. D. BECKER FASTENER DEVICE Filed March 16, 1949 2Sheets-Sheet l,

F|G..E.

lo loa loa I8 2' INVENTOR; PHHJP D. BECKER BY Umu (MOL,

ATToRNl-:Y

March 23, 1954 P. D. BECKER FASTENER DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F|G|.9.

Filed March 16,. 1949 NvENToR: PHIUP D.

BECKER, BY WM. ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 23, 1954 FAYSTENER DEVICE Philip D. Becker, Hingham,Mass., assignor to United-Carr Fastener Corporation, Cambridge, Mass.,acorporation of Massachusetts Application March 16, 1949, Serial No.81,657

14 Claims.

Thepresent linvention relates to fasteners, and more particularly tofasteners adapted to be interlocked and disengaged by relative rotarymovement of the fastener elements, and aims generally to improveexisting fasteners of that type.

`One of the primary objects is the provision of an improved fastenermember adapted to secure two 'parts 'in assembled juxtaposed relation.

A 'further object of the invention is the provision lof animproved'fastener means embodylng a plurality of male fastener elementsadapted to be secured to parts to be connected together, and a femalefastener element adapted to be engaged with all of said male fastenerelements for securing said parts in assembledrelation.

4pur'liivlsion of an improved fastener means adapted for securingtogether the frame members of buildings and likek structures and whichmay readily be associated withA said .frame 4members as not to extendbeyond the plane faces thereof.

A still further object of the invention 'is generally to improve andsimplify the construction of fastener'means of the above described typeswhich may be economically manufactured, readily' applied to therespective parts to be secured together, and quickly engaged anddisengaged'.

r(Zither alims `and advantages of the invention will be apparent topersons skilled in the art from a consideration of the accompanyingdrawings andannexed specification illustrating and describing severalforms of fastener embodying the invention. v

drawings:

Fig. l is a vplan view 'oi' a 'fastener means .according to oneform ofthe invention 'for connect- .in-g two parts in juxtaposed relation, thefemale member being illustrated in "its unfastened position withrelation to 'the male member.;

'l Fig-2 is aiplan view similar to Fig. 1, butfi'llustrating the femalemember in fastened or locked position;

Fig. `-3 is -a vertical sectional view taken transversely ofythejfastener and the parts to he secured as on the line 3-'3 of Fig. 1,illustrating the fastener parts in unlocked position;

Fig. '-4 is a lvertical lsectional view, similar to Fig. 3', as taken onlthe 'line 4-4 of Fig. 2, 'illustrating the fastener parts inlockedposition;

Fig. :5 is va detail perspective view of one of the male'v fastenermembers `olf' the type illustrated in Figs. 1 "to 4, as applied to -apart to be secured;

Fig. 6. .is a. plan View ofthe female fastener meer sof'ttne typeillustrated in Figs. l to 4;

Figi? isc-.an edge-:elevation -of the :femaleiastenermemberliilustratedsm Fig. 6';

i. Fig. 8 is a plan view of a modied and preferred form of fastenermeans for connecting two parts in juxtaposed relation, the female memberbeing illustrated in its unfastened position with relation to the malemember;

Fig. 9 is a plan View, similar to Fig. 8, but illustrating the femalemember in its fastened or locked position;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view transversely through the fastenerand. longitudinally of a part to be secured, as taken on the line Ill-I0 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view, similar to Fig. l0, but taken onthe line II--II of Fig. 9;

Fig. l2 is la plan View of `one of the male fastener members of the formillustrated in Figs. -8 to 11 inclusive;

Fig. 13 is a transverse sectional view through the male fastener memberillustrated in Fig. 12, as taken on the line I3-I3 thereof;

Fig. 14 is a plan view of the female fastener member illustrated inFigs. 8 to ll1 inclusive; and

Fig. 15 is a section on line lI5--I5 of Fig. 9.

Referring to the drawings, the invention is illustrated as embodied in afastener for securing two parts I and 2 in juxtaposed relation. Theparts I and 2 may-be of any suitable type or construction, for examplewood framing members of a building or like structure,v which maybe partsof prefabricated panels or units designed to 'be securely and detachablysecured together. Each of the parts I and 2 may be provided withfastener recesses 3 in one face thereof and opening on an angularlydisposed face adapted to abut a companion part of the assembledinstallation. As 'herein illustrated, the recesses 3 are ofsemi-circular shape.

Referring to the form of invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7inclusive, a male fastener `member 'I0 is secured 'in the recess 3 .ofeach of the parts I vand 2 `by suitable means, as for example screws lI. The male fastener members advantageously conform tothe shape oftherecesses 3, and when arranged in pairs, as for example on V jiixtaposedpar-ts I and 2, are Supplementary to each other.

'The male lfastener member advantageously may be formed from a sheetmetal plate of suitable thickness and strength, 'having an outwardlyextending tongue I2 struck `from the 'body of the plate, `inwardly ofthe marginal edges thereof. The tongue I2 preferably presents anoverhanging lip "in the median plane of the member I0, and extendingaway `from the meetingr face .Illa thereof, :which face is adapted to`be dispcsed parallel toy-and -adjjacentthe abutting faces .of .theparts I andi. f

A pair of supplementary male fastener members I is adapted to befastened in juxtaposed position by a female fastener member I 5, hereinillustrated as comprising a ring-like plate having a circular outerperipheral edge I3 and opposed inner eccentric or cam means or edges Il.The body portion of the ring-like plate I5 thus presents opposedoppositely tapered arcuate locking portions I8 (see Fig. 6) adapted tobe turned or rotated over the faces of a pair of female members I3. Theeccentricity of the edges I'I is such as to provide a maximum internaldiameter greater than the distance between opposed tongues I2 of a pairof male members I0, permitting the member I5 to be slipped over thetongues l2 (as shown in Fig. 1) and a minimum internal diameter of lessthan the distance between the opposed tongues, permitting the edge I'Ito grip the tongues and be locked under the overhanging lips thereof asshown in Figs. 2 and 4. The inner peripheral edge of the female memberI5 may be provided with stop means I9 between adjoining ends of thesections I8, so as to engage the tongues I2 of the male members andlimit relative rotation thereof.

Advantageously, the female member I5 is provided with means to engagethe male member I@ and resist relative rotation thereof in unlockingdirection. Preferably, this rotation-retarding means may comprise wingmembers integral with and overlying the female member and presenting ayieldable surface for tensioned engagement with a locking tongue I2 ofthe male member I3. As illustrated, the wing members may be in the formof tab integral with the outer peripheral edges of the female member andbent inwardly over the female member so that its terminal end 2ioverlies the eccentric or clamping edge I1 adjacent a wider section ofthe tapered portions I8 of the female member. A corner of the tab 20,adjacent the narrower section of the portions I8 may be raised slightlyas at 22 to facilitate moving that corner over the locking tabs I2. Infully locked position, the locking tongue I2 of the male member isengaged by the stop means I9 and by the lower corner or edge of the tab2Q so that a tensioned locking engagement is provided between thefastener parts, tending to restrain retrograde turning movement thereof.

The female member is preferably provided with l projections on a Spanneror like wrench (not It will be apparent from the above description andthe illustration in Figs. i to 4 of the drawings that the female membersmay be readily placed over the male members which have been placed insubstantially aligned juxtaposed position as illustrated in Fig. 1. Inthis position, the narrower portions of the sections I8 having thegreatest internal diameter are in line with opposed tongues I 2. ASpanner wrench may then be applied to the female member I5 with theprongs thereof engaging in apertures 23, and the female member I5rotated to the locked position shown in Figs. 2 and 4. During rotationto the locked position, the inner eccentric peripheral edge I'I hasengaged the tongues I2 forcing them and the parts I and 2 together, andthe tabs 2li have been moved over the tongue I2 to exert a tensionedengagement therewith tending to restrain retrograde movement of thefemale member. The parts I and 2 are thus locked in secured assembledjuxtaposed relation.

In the form of invention illustrated in Figs. 8 to 14 inclusive, themale fastener members 30 may be formed of sheet metal plate havingapertures 3I for the reception of screws or like fastenings to securethe members to the respective parts I and 2, and are provided withupstanding locking tongues 32 as in the case of the male fastenerelements shown in Figs. 1 to 5.

The male fastener members preferably are also provided with bearingportions 33 extending angularly to the surface of the plate 33 anddisposed at diametrically opposite points in a plane substantiallynormal to a transverse central plane passed through the locking tongue32. As herein illustrated, the bearing portions 33 may be in the form oftabs extending angularly from the outer peripheral edge of the malemembers 3U and thence inwardly overlying the plate portion of themembers 30 to provide channels for the reception of the female member35.

The female member 35 advantageously is in the form of a sheet metal discof elongated shape having arcuate concentric end edges 38 and aneccentric inner peripheral edge 3'5 providing therebetween oppositelytapered portions 38 extending across opposite ends of the elongated discmember 33. The maximum diameter of the member 35, i. e. between opposedconcentric edges 36, will be equal to, at least, the maximum internaldiameter between the bearing portions 33 of the male fastener members 3Band the minor diameter of the member 35 on the minor axis thereof, willbe less than the internal diameter between the innermost ends of theinturned tabs when the channelled form of bearing 33 is used. Thispermits the female fastener member to be readily dropped or placed uponthe male fastener members as illustrated in Fig. 8.

The eccentric inner peripheral edge 31 is spaced from the center of thedisc 35 on the major diameter, a distance greater than the spacing ofthe locking tongue 32 from the free straight edge of the male member 3Bso that in the unlocked position of the fastener the tongue 32 is freeand slightly spaced from the inner peripheral edge 3'I as illustrated-inFig. 8. The eccentric edge 3l which provides a cam edge for engagementextends radially inward toward the center of the disc on the minor axisor diameter so that when the minor diameter of the female member is inline with opposed locking tongues 32, as illustrated in Fig.,9, the edge3l will be under the tongue and radially pressed against a face thereof.

Rotation of the female member 35 from the unlocked position shown inFig. 8 to the locked position shown in Fig. 9 causes the concentricportions 33 to be moved within the channelled tabs 33 and bear againstthe inner upstanding faces thereof. This causes relative lateralshifting of the male members 30 to a position in which they are directlyand accurately opposed and is highly desirable in cases of prefabricatedstructural members that must fit with precision. Rotation of the femalemember may be effected by means of a Spanner or like wrench engaged inopenings 39.

The cooperating male and female fastener parts 3c and 35 are preferablyprovided with interengaging means designed to prevent accidental orunintentional rotation of the female member 35 in unlocking directionfrom its locked or clamped position.v One suitable means for thispurpose comprises integral upstanding detents :acre-,eco

5. 'or-yprctub'era-nces `Mlilpunched outwardly from the fbase of :themale fastener members 30 and `adapted lto be engaged by Va .radiallyribbed Vor corrugated portion yIH which may be integrally formed in thecent-ral portion fof .the ,female fastener member35.

From the above 'description it will 'be seen that the invention.provides a strong, efcient :fastener of vsimple construction forsecuring 1a plu.- `lra-lity :of .members in juxtaposed relation. Theinvention is particularly advantageous in connection with the assemblyof building framing members, which when made y'of wood, lare subject ltosome Adistortion and warping. In the form of invention Ishown in Figs. 1to 7 inclusive rota- 'tion Aof the female fastenermember :to its lockedposition tends to 4draw Athe :framing members :tightly together', While:the form of invention shown in Figs. v8 :'to y14 effects a :similardrawing together Aof Ithe framing `member as Well as a relativelongitudinal shifting to properly align l'the-members in juxtaposedposition.

.-Although I have illustrated and described vsevferal Vpreferred formsvof the invention, I do not lintend to Ibe restricted thereto as thescope yof the invention is best defined in the `appended claims.

I-claim:

:1.A fastener 'for connecting :a pair of parts in juxtaposed relationcomprising: -a 4pair -of fas- `tener plates, each .plate having Vmeansfor securing it to one of theparts to lbe connected andan outwardlyextending locking element "disposed within the marginal -edges thereof,and a separate fastener member rotatable about an axis i intermediate-said first named fastener plates `and having ledge portions ldisposedon opposite sides of said axis defining vopposed inwardly di- .rected-edges in engagement vwith opposite outer l`surfaces of said lockingmembers and eccenitrically vdisposed with :respect to said 'axis `andeach other for drawing said lockingelements toward eachother uponrotation 'of -said separate .fastener member about saidaxis, saidpair offas- 4tenerplates and said separate 'fastener member having cooperating:means inl sliding lfrictional engagement for resisting the engagementIAand disengagement of `said separate -fastener ymember with said pairof fastener plates.

-2.A fastener for `ccmnectmg :a lpair of parts in .juxtaposed :relationin accordance with lclaim .1 -wherein the cooperating means Yiii-slidingfriestional engagement .of the pair `of fastener vplates and the`:separate fastener member-comprise-isurfaces .of said separate fastenermemberdisposed vin frictional .engagement to opposing surfaces -of saidpair of fastener :plates and othersurfacesof said pair of fastenerplates overlying said separate fastener -membertfor holding said firstmentioned surfaces in engagement with the surfaces opposedthereto.v

3. A fastener `for-connecting-a.pair=of parts in juxtaposed relation inaccordance with claim 1 whereinthe cooperating ymeans in sliding"`fri c-fand the 4separate fastener member comprise tongues extending from-said separate fastener member and providing-surfaces 'for slidingfrictional engagement with fsurfaces of the locking elements of saidpair of .fastener plates andother surfaces on said lockingelementsioverlyingsaid separate 4fastener member for holding saidseparate fastener member in engagement with said pair of fastenermembers.

4. A fastener for connecting a pair of parts in tional engagement of-the -pairof 'fastener plates juxtaposed relation 'in accordance withclaim .-1 wherein :the cooperating means in sliding frictionalengagement .of -the pair of fastener plates and the separate fastenermember comprise tongues -extending from said pair -of fastener Aplates:and'overlying said separate fastener mem- -ber Whensaid fastener is inlocked -assembled relation .and .portions of said separate fastenermember -held in sliding frictional engagement by said tongues withOpposediportions of said pairiof fastenergplates.

-5. A fastener for lconnecting a plurality :of parts in juxtaposedvrelation comprising a .plurality .of complementary fastener members,each having means for securing it to a part to vbe connected and eachcomprising a segmental body plate Aprovided with fan outwardly extendinglocking element disposed on 'aradius of saidplate and within themarginal confines thereof, aco- `operating plate-like fastener 4memberhavingan .opening provided `with radially opposed eccentric-.edges inengagement with opposite outwardly directed surfaces -of said lockingAelements and adapted to draw said locking elements radially inwardtoward each other upon rotation of said cooperating fastener member randlocking means .for frictionally securing said cooperating :fastenermember in engagement with said compleinentary fastenermeirnbers.

l6. A fastener lfor-connecting'a pair of parts yin juxtaposed relationcomprising 'a pair of :fastener plates, each having means for securingit `to a part to be connected, an integral outwardly extending lockingelement formed ven `each iplate disposed Within the 4marginal edgesthereof and provided with an overhanging lip, a separate ring-likefastener lmember provided with a cen'- tral opening to t over thelocking elements of said pair of plates, said opening .having opposedinner Iedges eccentric tothe axis of rsaid ringlike member and vinengagement with 'opposite outer surfaces under 'the lip of said :lockingelements, said ring-like ,fastener -member being adapted upon rotationthereof to draw said plates Aradially 'toward i each other, 'androtationresisting vmeans disposed radially lof said ringlike fastenermember on allesser diameter of said opening and adapted lfor tensionedengagement with said llocking elements.

'7. A -fastener for connecting a pair of parts in juxtaposed .relationcomprising: 'a 'pair of Vfastener plates, 'each Iplate having "means forVsecuring `it to fon-e of theparts'to flee 'connected land 'an outwardlyextending locking element disposed withinthe marginal 4edges'thereof andproviding an upstandingportion `and 'a Alip portion `spaced from -saidplate and disposed substantially parallel thereto, and :a separate fiatring-shaped fastener member Arotatable Vabout an axis intermediate saidvfastener plates 'and having 'Linner edge lportions disposed on oppositesides vof said axis defining opposed inwardly directed edges 1inengagement with `'said fupstan'ding 'portions' and eccentricallydisposed with respectto said axisand'each other for drawingsaidupstanding portions A'andfeonsequently -said plates toward eachother upon rotation 'of .said separate fastener member .about "saidaxis, said separate fastener member having tongues disposed on oppositeouter peripheral edge portions yand overlyingand friet'ionally 4engagingsaid lip portions of said locking elements Awhen said separate fastenermember has been rotated to secure said fastener plate in securedconnected relation.

8. A fastener for connecting a plurality, of

parts in juxtaposed relation comprising: a plurality of fastener plates,each plate having means for securing it to one of the parts to beconnected, an outwardly extending locking element disposed within themarginal edges thereof, and upstanding bearing portions at oppositemarginal edges thereof; and a separate fastener member rotatable aboutan axis intermediate said first named fastener plates and having edgeportions disposed on opposite sides of said axis defining opposedinwardly directed edges in engagement with radially outer surfaces ofsaid locking members and eccentrically disposed with respect to saidaxis and each other for drawing said locking elements toward each otherupon rotation of said separate fastener member about said axis andhaving other edge portions disposed on opposite sides of said axisdening radially outwardly directed edges in engagement with the radiallyinner edges of Said bearing portions for securing said bearing portionsand consequently said fastener plates in spaced and aligned relationupon the rotation of said separate fastener member.

9. A fastener for connecting a pair of parts in juxtaposed relationcomprising: a. pair of fastener plates, each plate having means forsecuring it to one of the parts to be connected and opstanding bearingportions at opposite ends thereof; and a separate fastener memberrotatable about an axis intermediate said rst named fastener plates andhaving edge portions disposed on opposite sides of said axis deningopposite outwardly directed edges in engagement with the diametricallyopposing inner edges of said bearing portions for securing said bearingportions and consequently said fastener plates in spaced and alignedrelation upon rotation of said separate fastener member.

10. A fastener for connecting a pair of parts in juxtaposed relationcomprising: a pair of fastener plates, each plate having means forsecuring it to one of the parts to be connected, an outwardly extendinglocking element disposed within the marginal edges thereof, andopstanding bearing portions at opposite ends thereof; and a separatefastener member rotatable about an axis intermediate said first namedfastener plates and having edge portions disposed on opposite sides ofsaid axis dening opposed inwardly directed edges in engagement withopposite outer surfaces of said locking members and eccentricallydisposed with respect to said axis and each other for drawing saidlocking elements toward each other upon rotation of said separatefastener member about said axis, said separate fastener member havingother edge portions disposed on opposite sides of said axis deningopposite outwardly directed edges in engagement with diametricallyopposing inner edges of said bearing portions for securing said bearingportions and consequently said fastener plates in spaced and alignedrelation upon the rotation of said separate fastener member.

11. A fastener for connecting a pair of parts in juxtaposed relationcomprising: a pair of fastener plates, each plate having means forsecuring it to one of the parts to be connected, an outwardly extendinglocking element disposed within the marginal edges thereof, andopstanding bearing portions at opposite ends thereof; and a separatefastener member rotatable about an axis intermediate said rst namedfastener plates and having edge portions disposed on opposite sides ofsaid axis defining opposed inwardly directed edges in engagement withopposite outer surfaces of said locking members and eccentricallydisposed with respect to said axis and each other for drawing saidlocking elements toward each other upon rotation of said separatefastener member about said axis, said separate fastener member havingother edge portions disposed on opposite sides of said axis definingconcentric opposite outwardly directed edges in engagement withdiametrically opposing inner edges of said bearing portions for securingsaid bearing portions and consequently said fastener plates in spacedand aligned relation upon the rotation of said separate fastener member.

12. A fastener for connecting a pair of parts in juxtaposed relationcomprising: a pair of fastener plates, each plate having means forsecuring it to one of the parts to be connected, an outwardly extendinglocking tongue disposed within the marginal edges thereof, andopstanding bearing portions at opposite ends thereof, said bearingportions having inwardly opening channels; and a separate fastenermember rotatable about an axis intermediate said first named fastenerplates and having edge portions disposed on opposite sides of said axisdefining opposed inwardly directed edges in engagement with oppositeouter surfaces of said locking members and eccentrically disposed withrespect to said axis and each other for drawing said locking elementstoward each other upon rotation of said separate fastener member aboutsaid axis and having other edge portions disposed on opposite sides ofsaid axis defining concentric opposite outwardly directed edges inengagement within the channels of said bearing portions for securingsaid bearing portions and consequently said fastener plates in alignedrelation upon the rotation of said separate fastener member.

13. A fastener for connecting a pair of parts in juxtaposed relation inaccordance with claim 12 wherein the fastener plates and the separatefastener member have cooperating means for resisting relative rotationof said separate fastener member and said plates from their lockedposition.

14. A fastener for connecting a pair of parts in juxtaposed relation inaccordance with claim 12 wherein the separate fastener member has acentrally disposed series of radial ribs and the fastener plates haveopstanding projections engaging said radial ribs for resisting relativerotation of said separate fastener member and said plates from theirlocked positions.

PHILIP D. BECKER.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 279.267 Nook June 12, 1883 309,310 Neale Deo. 16, 1884 590,325Leslie Sept. 21, 1897 '798,296 Praeger Aug. 29, 1905 FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 36,883 Sweden of 1914

